Authors

Discussion

In the modern world, along with regular armies, the territorial defense forces also play an important role in military conflicts. The latter could be defined as institutions with a military function or type of force that plays a greater or smaller role in a country’s total military establishment.

Modern models of territorial defense vary and are in constant development. They are country-specific and depend on historical background, military doctrine, participation in international military unions, and changing current situation. Defunct territorial units are also worth studying to complete the picture.

Ukrainian case should be considered in the context of a hybrid war with Russian Federation. The asymmetry of military forces requires additional resources. Initially, such a resource was volunteer Territorial Defense Battalions (2014-2015) under the auspices of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Now a territorial defense model is being developed in Ukraine on the base of a controversial Law on National Resistance (2021). However, a number of public organizations, as Ukrainian Legion, are promoting an alternative concept of territorial defense. They propose the general involvement of Ukrainian citizens in the defense of the country through combat training and military-patriotic education. This can significantly reduce the possibility of hostile aggression, increase the losses of the aggressor's army and its military expenditures.